GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida’s Urban Meyer became the first coach to be disciplined under the Southeastern Conference’s new policy regarding criticizing officials.
The league fined Meyer $30,000 on Friday, two days after he said referees missed a late hit against quarterback Tim Tebow in No. 1 Florida’s 41-17 win against Georgia. Meyer sent video of the play to the SEC office, but his mistake was telling reporters refs missed the call.
Last week, the SEC changed its policy about coaches publicly criticizing officials, making the punishment either a fine or a suspension and doing away with reprimands.
The change came after Tennessee’s Lane Kiffin, Mississippi State’s Dan Mullen and Arkansas’ Bobby Petrino were reprimanded after they publicly questioned officiating.
“Coach Meyer has violated the Southeastern Conference Code of Ethics,” SEC commissioner Mike Slive said. “SEC bylaw 10.5.4 clearly states that the coaches, players and support personnel shall refrain from public criticism of officials. The league’s athletics directors and presidents and chancellors have made it clear that negative public comments on officiating are not acceptable.”
Bryant to enter NFL draft
STILLWATER, Okla. — Oklahoma State wide receiver Dez Bryant told ESPN that he plans to enter the 2010 NFL draft.
Bryant disclosed his intentions late Thursday, hours after the NCAA rejected a final appeal by the school to reinstate the junior All-American.
Bryant sat out the first five games while the NCAA investigated his offseason meeting with former NFL player Deion Sanders at a Texas athletic center. Bryant admitted that he lied to an NCAA investigator about the meeting and apologized.
Grambling band involved in crash
FORDYCE, Ark. — A dozen students and a bus driver are being treated for injuries after three buses carrying members of the renowned Grambling State University marching band were involved in a traffic crash.
An Arkansas State Police spokesman said none of the injuries appear to be life-threatening.
Footnotes.
Wake Forest quarterback Riley Skinner has been cleared to play in today’s game at No. 10 Georgia Tech after he suffered a concussion last week.
• Stanford will be without top linebacker Clinton Snyder, its leading tackler who suffered a knee injury in practice Tuesday.
• The University of New Mexico has changed its human resources policies in the wake of an altercation involving football coach Mike Locksley.
The Associated Press
